Category: The Newsletter

June Bestsellers

1. Full Disclosure by Beverley McLachlin
2. Warlight by Michael Ondaatje
3. Building on River by Jean Van Loon
4. Lost Ottawa by David McGee
5. Less by Andrew Sean Greer
6. The President is Missing by J. Patterson & B. Clinton
7. The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz
8. A Legacy of Spies by John Le Carre
9. Bellewether by Susanna Kearsley
10. Master of Persuasion by Fen Osler Hampson

Greetings Book Lovers!

Well, we all wished for summer…we’re not sure that sweltering heat waves are quite what we had in mind though. At least it’s not snowing. That does seem like a small comfort when you find yourself sweating before nine o’clock in the morning, just by standing still outside. Thankfully, we can think of at least one activity that we can all do in this type of weather without completely doing ourselves in…reading! Not only can you do it while lying in front of a fan or in a shady spot beside the pool, but the energy it takes to turn the pages is negligible! Luckily, the worst of the heat seems to have passed (for now), but it’s always good to be prepared for these things. So, be sure to pop in to see us (the store in air-conditioned) and stock up on great reads to get you through any forthcoming summer heat waves!

Although we love reading anytime of year, there’s nothing quite like finding that perfect summer read! No matter where you’re spending your hot, sunny days, the most important thing is not who you spend it with, but which books you bring with you! So, in an effort to facilitate your choosing and help you reach ultimate summer reading enjoyment, here are some of our top picks from among the most recent releases. Swimming with Bridgeport Girls by Anthony Tambakis is a funny, wacky, and slightly insane story about the lengths one man will go to to win back the woman he loves. With a warrant out for his arrest, his ex-wife shacking up with a bookie who wants to kill him, and the sudden appearance of an inheritance from his long-lost father, Ray Parisi has had more than his share of unusual experiences recently. Add to that a hair-brained scheme to win his wife back and you get a hilarious, dysfunctional love story that will keep you laughing from start to finish! With a whiff of Agatha Christie’s Poirot and a splash of Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, Rachel McMillan‘s Murder at the Flamingo is a fun, sparkly murder mystery with just a hint of seedy underbelly. Featuring Hamish DeLuca and Regina “Reggie” Van Buren, two unlikely sleuths fleeing the lives their high society parents have lined up for them, this 1930s set mystery takes readers through the glittering doors of the swanky nightclub The Flamingo, where all is not as it seems and a killer must be stopped before the encroaching darkness overshadows them all!

After hitting all the right notes in her previous novel The Party, Robyn Harding is back with another, even more chilling story, perfect for fans of Shari Lapena, Paula Hawkins, Cynthia Swanson, and Ruth Ware. Her Pretty Face is the ultimate psychological thriller in which readers find themselves on unsteady ground from start to finish! As you try to weave your way through the mire of disingenuous characters, uncomfortably obsessive love, and endless twists and turns, you very well might start to anticipate a horrible outcome while simultaneously hoping we’re wrong. When you don’t know what’s real and what’s not, which characters to take at their word and which to completely disregard, you know you’re in for an emotion-laden rollercoaster ride of a book! After loving Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave and The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir by Jennifer Ryan so, so much, picking up AJ Pearce‘s new novel, Dear Mrs. Bird, was one of the easiest decisions we had to make this month! Set in London during WWII, this book introduces us to Emmeline Lake who, in an attempt to do her bit for the war effort, answers a job advertisement in the paper with dreams of becoming a Lady War Correspondent. But when a series of misunderstandings dash her high hopes and land her typing letters for a renowned advice columnist, Emmeline must find her own way to help the women searching for answers in a time of incredible uncertainty and upheaval. Writing with wit, charm, and emotion, Pearce is a very welcome addition to our bookshelves – at home and here at the store!

Since summertime often means packing a bag and traveling to foreign shores or jumping in the car to discover unexplored nooks and crannies a little closer to home, what better time than now to read a fascinating travel memoir? The late, great, and wonderfully prolific Peter Mayle has gifted us this month with a new (and final) volume of writing about his years living in Provence. Our overseas journey with Peter, which began over two decades ago with the publication of A Year in Provence, comes to an end with My Twenty-Five Years in Provence – a heartfelt love letter to a beautiful place that welcomed him and became his forever home. Full of musings on his culinary, cultural, and countryside explorations over the years, new and long-time Mayle fans alike will fall in love with the man himself as well as the place, as they make their way through this witty and charming volume. In our minds, nothing could fall further from reading about the lavender fields of France than a book about the great American road trip. Though not strictly an American pastime, it was the arrival of the first interstates in the U.S. that paved the way for the golden age of the family car trip – a golden age that Richard Ratay explores in his new National Lampoon-esque book Don’t Make Me Pull Over. Before portable technology like iPods and in-car DVD players changed the game, the only things you needed to worry about out on the black top were having enough pillows for the number of kids in the back seat and how long everyone could last between bathroom stops! Told in a light-hearted and nostalgic way, Ratay‘s book reminds us of a time when family outings were king (no matter how much the kids protested) and the journey was always more important than the destination.

As usual, there are so many great new books out there, but only so much space in our small newsletter. So, here are some of the recent and forthcoming releases that we’re most looking forward to dipping into: The Ruinous Sweep by Tim Wynne-Jones, The Loneliest Girl in the Universe by Lauren James, Geraldine by Elizabeth Lilly, Clock Dance by Anne Tyler, The Winners’ Circle a by Gail Bowen, All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover (July 17), Women of the Dunes by Sarah Maine (July 24), The Quiet Side of Passion by Alexander McCall Smith (July 31), The Secret, Book & Scone Society by Ellery Adams (July 31), Desperate Girls by Laura Griffin (August 7), Our Homesick Songs by Emma Hooper (August 7), and 101 Things To Do With a Retired Man by Gabrielle Mander (August 7).

Finally, to help you all celebrate this season of swimming, sailing, and sun-tanning (and to indulge our love of alliteration), we have some summer sales happening in the store this month! If your kids are looking for something to occupy their time this summer, why not get them to join Camp Penguin? From now until Saturday, July 28, a selection of books for middle-grade reader featured in our front window will be 10% off! Not only are your kiddies bound to be endlessly entertained in the coming weeks by these great reads, but they also get to track how many books they’ve read with special Camp Penguin stickers in their complimentary copy of the Ultimate Summer Reading Guide. Interactive, intriguing, and on sale! Click here to find out what books are included in the Camp Penguin promotion, or visit us in the store to check out our Camp Penguin display! Also on the docket this month is our Summer is an Open Book promotion featuring brand new paperback releases of great Canadian adult fiction and non-fiction titles from Penguin Random House of Canada! From perennial favourites like Linden MacIntyre and Salman Rushdie to newer authors like Sarah Faber and Kate Taylor, you’re bound to find your perfect summer love among these great reads! Check out the full list of featured titles here or come and visit our book display in store! Our Summer is an Open Book books will be on sale for 15% off from Sunday, July 22 to Saturday, August 11, though they are available in store now at regular price if you find that you can’t wait until the 22nd to pick one up and dive right in!

No matter where life takes you this summer, it’s always important to be prepared. So, when you’re picking up your car keys and sliding your passport into your pocket on your way out the door, be sure to double check your bag for its most important items – all the books you plan on reading! They may take up some valuable real estate and weigh a little more than you’d like, but remember, they aren’t as heavy as shampoo and they’ll never ruin everything else in your suitcase by leaking! Clean, self-contained, and good for more than one read! So come visit us to stock up – we’ll be more than happy to help you pick and choose!

Wishing you all a safe and fun summertime, no matter where your plans take you!
Happy Reading!

— The Staff of Books on Beechwood

Special Store Hours

We will be CLOSED until 2:00pm on Monday, July 30 for staff training. The store will be open in the afternoon from 2:00pm to 6:00pm.
We apologize for any inconvenience.

Christmas in July…and August

From July 17 to August 31, we’ll be celebrating our favourite winter holiday four months early by putting all our Christmas cards on sale!

• All Christmas cards marked with a red slash will be 50% off!
• For every five cards you buy, get one of equal or lesser value for free!
• Buy four or more copies of one design, and get an additional 5% off!

On My Shelf

Staff Member: Hilary

What I’m Reading: Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier

“In the huge stack of books that is my ‘to read’ pile, this intriguing thriller caught my attention and has yet to lose it! Far from your average ‘if you liked Gone Girl, you’ll like this’ kind of book, this story of murder, friendship, dark secrets, and semi-truths is a chilling and riveting read.
The jury’s still out on the ending, of course (I haven’t gotten there yet), but with its disturbing and unique premise, and face-paced narrative, I can’t imagine it’ll take me long to get there!”

April Bestsellers

1. A Higher Loyalty by James Comey
2. Forgiveness by Mark Sakamoto
3. Lost Ottawa by David McGee
4. Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese
5. Marinating in Murder by Linda Wiken
6. Tangerine by Christine Mangan
7. Back to Beer…and Hockey by Helen Antoniou
8. Master of Persuasion by Fen Hampson
9. The Temptation of Forgiveness by Donna Leon
10. The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline

Greetings Book Lovers!

Is it spring? Has it finally arrived? It’s still a little hard to tell, but it looks like we might be in the clear now. Maybe we should go knock on wood, just in case. Well, working on the assumption that we have finally switched seasons, it must be time to start thinking about all that summer reading we’re all going to get done. Just as a friendly suggestion, if this year is the one you’ve chosen to finally get through Ulysses by James Joyce, you might want to get cracking because there are lots of other great books coming into the store that you’ll certainly want to sink your teeth into before the cool autumnal breezes make their triumphant return.

Well before that happens though (we hope) we are so happy to be hosting our first Titles@Table40 dinner of 2018! On Sunday, June 3, local political writer and university professor Fen Osler Hampson will be joining us at our favourite local restaurant to talk about his brand new book Master of Persuasion: Brian Mulroney’s Global Legacy. We’re so excited to have Fen joining us and are looking forward to welcoming you all to our first evening of great books and delicious food of the season!

If you’re new to our Titles@Table40 series or need a bit of a refresher, here’s a brief outline of how things work. The evening starts at 5:30pm with dinner, followed by the author presentation and book signing. Tickets must be purchased in advance at the bookstore. The non-refundable cost is $60.00which includes the cost of the meal (a set menu of three courses with a vegetarian option), tax and tip. All beverages are extra and will be charged at the end of the evening. The Fraser Cafe can accommodate all
special dietary needs if informed in advance. Tickets are now on sale, so be sure to call or visit us to get yours soon – they tend to go quickly and we do only have a limited amount of space in the restaurant.

Another local author who will be paying us a visit this month to sell copies of his new novel is Manor Park resident David Goldfield. After the great success of his official launch last month, David will be here in the store on Saturday, May 19 from 11:00am to 3:00pm to sign copies of Into the Volcano – a thriller set in Latin America which is full of murder, greed, and corruption. Inspired by true events, this edge-of-your-seat read is definitely worth a look, so be sure to come down to meet David, buy a book, and get it signed!

Excited doesn’t begin to describe how we’re feeling about the recent arrival of new novels by some of our favourite historical fiction writers. After waiting for two and half excruciating years, we finally have another novel by Paula McLainto enjoy and devour. Love and Ruin returns readers to the world of Ernest Hemingway and his wives as we follow the story of Martha Gellhorn, Hemingway’s third wife, a fiercely independent woman who went on to become one of the greatest war correspondents of the 20th Century. Set against a backdrop of political conflict and national wars, this passionate love story comes to a head when Martha and Ernest find themselves at a life-changing crossroads with no idea which path they should take. Susanna Kearsley is a staff favourite here at the store, and a new release from her is always greeted with great cheers…and sometimes dancing. Gently picking up a story thread from her last novel, A Desperate Fortune, Bellewether features museum curator Charley Van Hoek in her new position at the Wilde House Museum in Long Island. While coming up against trifling protestations from a very determined museum board left, right, and centre, Charley finds herself falling deeper into local legends when she comes across evidence of French Canadian soldiers having been billeted in Wilde House in the mid-18th Century. Switching back and forth between Charley’s story and that of Lydia Wilde set in 1759, Kearsley delivers yet another wonderful novel that will make readers fall in love with history as only she can.

Described as “vintage Margaret Atwood meets Patricia Highsmith”, The Honey Farm by Harriet Alida Lye is a captivating novel that will carry you away on a wave of beautiful writing and intriguing incidents. Set on a seemingly idyllic honey farm, boarders Silvia and Ibrahim soon come to realize that what they thought would be an inspirational, relaxing retreat – the perfect place to nurture their artistic pursuits – is not all that it seems. Full of dark secrets, paralyzing doubts, and one shocking conclusion, this debut novel will knock your socks off! Beloved author Ngaio Marsh may have passed away over thirty years ago, but her gripping mystery stories continue to live on. With the help of author Stella Duffy, Roderick Alleyn is now back with a brand new story to tell and an intriguing mystery to solve. Money in the Morgue is a novel started by Marsh during World War II and finished by Stella Duffy in a style so true to its creator, it reads like any of the classic Roderick Alleyn mysteries. Featuring a group of quarantined soldiers, an employee love triangle, a treacherous storm, and a hospital without power, it’s no wonder that the death toll begins to rise!

It’s impossible for us to let a month go by without highlighting some kind of book-related book that’s found a home on our shelves, and My Life With Bob by Pamela Paul is the one that’s captured our attention this time around! Imagine having kept a record of all the books you’ve ever read from childhood on up? Well, Pamela Paul has done just that. From her days reading books like Sweet Valley High through to Anna Karenina and Catch-22, Pamela has carried Bob (her Book of Books) with her from school to school, job to job, and apartment to house, and in this new book, she explores the deep and meaningful relationship between book and reader and how each one affects the other. This is a truly unique book that we can all relate to, whether we have a Bob of our own or not.

During the course of our days, we don’t get to spend nearly as much time in the children’s section as we would like. When we do get the chance to pop back there though, we always manage to find some lovely new stories that we can’t wait to share. Here, George! by Sandra Boynton is an adorable new board book from an author who is arguable the Queen of the children’s book. Illustrator George Booth helps Boynton bring to life the story of George, a sweet dog who likes to sit and sleep. One day, when his owners go out, George discovers that there’s something he might like even more than sitting and sleeping…dancing! Be prepared to read it more than once though, because George the dog is going to appeal to your little ones just as much as Boynton’s cows, pigs, frogs, and chickens! Just as silly and funny as its predecessor Mustache Baby, Bridget Heos‘ new board book, Mustache Baby Meets His Match, is full of hilarious scenarios which send Mustache Baby and Beard Baby through the imaginative worlds of the Wild West, the wrestling ring, a pirate ship, and many more as they try to reconcile their differences and become friends. In a world full of cute concept books, Contrary Dogs by Elo is right up there at the top of our list. With very simple words and illustrations, this book’s winning feature is the flaps that lift up, down, and to the side to alter each image from one thing to its opposite. Full of wonderful colours and patterns, every child will be able to glean something from this thoroughly appealing book.

Arguably the most sought-after author in our children’s section, Rick Riordannever seems to take a break – much to the delight of our younger customers! His most recent offering is The Burning Maze, the third book in the Trials of Apollo series. This new adventure finds awkward teenager Lester (formerly the glorious god Apollo) on a mission to retain his place on Mount Olympus all while being stuck baby-sitting Demeter’s daughter Meg, not something he’s overly thrilled about. If nothing else, that fact alone with ring true with any Riordan fans who have younger siblings. Missing Mike by Shari Green is a heart-wrenching story about the love of a girl for her dog and the extraordinary circumstances that come between them. When her town is evacuated because of a forest fire, Cara’s dog Mike gets nervous and runs off, so she and her family are forced to leave without him. Once the stress of outrunning the fire has passed, Cara begins to think about what bits of her life might be left when they’re allowed to return home, and she can’t stop thinking about Mike. As she tries to settle into her new (if temporary) situation, Cara’s idea of home begins to change, but her love and devotion to Mike remains – she will do whatever it takes to find him, even if it means heading back home on her own.

As usual, it’s impossible to talk about all the books we love in these few paragraphs, so here’s a list of some of the other recent and upcoming releases that we’re excited about reading: Warlight by Michael Ondaatje; Stay Sweet by Siobhan Vivian; Pudding’ by Julie Murphy; The Perfectionists by Simon Winchester; Robin by Dave Itzkoff (May 15); A French Wedding by Hannah Tunnicliffe (May 15); Less by Andrew Sean Greer (Pulitzer Prize Winner Fiction – May 22); Once and For All by Sarah Dessen (May 22); The House Swap by Rebecca Fleet (May 22); I’ve Been Meaning to Tell You by David Chariandy (May 29); Save the Date by Morgan Matson (June 5); Chasing the Wind by C.C. Humphreys (June 5); Neanderthal Opens the Door to the Universe by Preston Norton (June 5).

It’s hard to believe that spring is finally here, but really, spring or no spring, it’s never too early to start thinking about your summer reading list (or your spring one for that matter)! So, whether you’re looking for books for yourself, as gifts, or for your kids, there are lots to choose from on our store shelves. Still having trouble deciding what you want? Don’t hesitate to ask us for advice – our staff are always more than happy to help you narrow down your options!

Happy Shopping and Happy Reading!

— The Staff of Books on Beechwood

On My Shelf

March Bestsellers

1. The Light-Keeper’s Daughters by Jean E. Pendziwol
2. Forgiveness by Mark Sakamoto
3. The Boat People by Sharon Bala
4. My Italian Bulldozer by Alexander McCall Smith
5. 12 Rules for Life by Jordan B. Peterson
6. Trumpocracy by David Frum
7. Precious Cargo by Craig Davidson
8. Dog Man and Cat Kid by Dav Pilkey
9. The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline
10. Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling

Greetings Book Lovers!

With the cold wind and sporadic snow flurries happening outside, it’s hard to believe we just celebrated Easter – a holiday that calls to mind images of baby animals, green grass, and new growth. However, the calendar doesn’t lie and April really is here. So, while there may not be buds on our trees or flowers poking exploratory shoots out of the ground, we’re well on our way to those treasured days when we can read out in the garden, and maybe even fall asleep in our favourite hammock…with our book on our face, of course!

Thankfully, book releases are never affected by unseasonable weather, so despite it not being spring-like outside, all the lovely new spring books are still arriving here in the store and there’s quite a bit to be excited about. Picking up the plot threads from his intriguing and mysterious novel about London’s Great Fire, The Ashes of London, Andrew Taylor has penned us another treasure in The Fire Court. Set right on the heels of its predecessor, this new story finds Cat Lovett and James Marwood working together yet again to solve another mysterious crime as the newly appointed Fire Court attempts to get to the bottom of the Great Fire itself. The Good Liar by Catherine McKenzie (a favourite author of ours) is a new thriller that we just can’t get enough of! Centred around a devastating explosion and an unlikely reunion, this novel is full of suspicious characters, dangerous secrets, and well-crafted lies that will keep you guessing (and reading) well into the night.

A true booklover’s book, Liam Callahan‘s Paris by the Book is a charming story about family, books, and Paris. With a bit of mystery sprinkled throughout, the only thing better might be an actual trip to Paris! (N.B. “Actual trip to Paris” sold separately.) If ancient Greece is more your speed, then Circe by Madeline Miller is the book for you! After the enormous success of her debut novel, The Song of Achilles (it won the 2012 Orange Prize for Fiction), fans have been eagerly awaiting this return to the birthplace of myth and magic. As a reimagining of the life of Circe, the formidable sorceress from Homer‘s The Odyssey, this novel sets its roots in the powerful and dangerous halls of the Greek Gods and introduces readers to the amazing and intoxicating life of a powerful woman trying to find her place in a world ruled by men and monsters set on her destruction. Marinating in Murder by local mystery author Linda Wiken is the third book in her charming Dinner Club Mystery series. When your dinner club is planning a picnic, finding a dead body in the back of an SUV is the last thing you expect – especially when that body belongs to the ex-husband of a police officer. Not only can you buy a copy of this great book in the store now and find out whodunnit, but on Sunday, April 15, you can meet the author! Linda will be here between 3:00pm and 5:00pm to chat and sign copies of her new book, as well as books from her previous series The Ashton Corners Book Club.

While spring is not a traditionally busy time of year for non-fiction releases, there are still lots of gems to be had for book lovers who prefer having a little more realism on their nightstands. Arguably one of the most influential and successful kings in history, Alexander the Great, during his short, war-filled life, amassed an incredible fortune of jewels, gold, land, and slaves, all while changing the face of the world in incredible ways. In The Treasures of Alexander the Great by Frank L. Holt, readers will explore Alexander’s life and times through these spoils of war that he collected while creating one of the greatest empires the world has ever seen. Welsh Classical historian, Adrian Goldsworthy introduces us to a famous relic of another great ancient empire in his new book Hadrian’s Wall. Built by the Romans in the fifth century, there are just as many mysteries about this eighty mile long wall as there are facts. Was it really meant to keep the Pictish people in the North where they belonged? What would life have been like for a Roman soldier posted in one of the forts along the wall? Goldsworthy endeavours to answer these questions, and many more, in this archaeological investigation to unravel fact from the legends sealing the very stones on this fascinating ruin from Britain’s colourful past.

Never one to be left behind, our children’s section has also welcomed some great new additions to its shelves recently. For the little ones, Bark Park! by Trudy Krisner is an adorable book about all the fun our canine friends can have – and the trouble they can get into – when they visit the park. David Miles‘ story Unicorn (and Horse) explores ideas of friendship and celebrates the ways in which we’re different as well as the ones in which we’re the same. Unicorn has a glorious mane, perfect teeth, and eats cupcakes for breakfast…Horse does not. Though Horse might be a bit jealous of all the things that Unicorn has, when his horned companion gets kidnapped in the middle of the night, Horse is the only one who can save him. This story is great for any kids who loved A Horse Named Steve by Kelly Collier and Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima. A Couch for Llama by Leah Gilbert is destined to become a bedtime classic! Sweet and charming, this book tells the story of a family who buy a new couch, but lose it from the top of their car on the way home. When it lands squarely in a roadside pasture. What follows is a hilarious game of trial and error as the pasture’s resident llama tries to makes sense of his new red-cushioned companion.

If you have a child at home who is chomping at the bit for the next Rick Riordan book (the third book in the Trials of Apollo series is due to arrive May 1), but can’t wait until next month, we have a solution for you! Continuing in the same vein as Percy Jackson and the Olympians and Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi is the first in a new fantasy series from a new imprint, Rick Riordan Presents. Twelve-year-old Aru Shah has been known to exaggerate her stories sometimes in order to fit in with the other kids at school, but when a few of her classmates try to catch her in a lie, she’s plunged into a world of Indian deities and an adventure that will change her life. From Jesse Andrews, the author of Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, comes a brand new teen novel that is at once funny and thought-provoking. Munmun is set in a world very similar to our own, but with one major difference – the amount of money you have determines your physical size. When you’re littlepoor and smaller than a common rat, it’s not just the trials and tribulations of daily life that you have to worry about, but the very real danger of being stepped on or attacked by anything bigger than you. So when their house gets crushed, Warner and his sister Prayer must battle against all the odds to somehow earn more munmun and grow their way out of daily danger. Well known for her science fiction books for kids and teens, Margaret Peterson Haddix has now added contemporary teen novel to her repertoire with The Summer of Broken Things. Featuring a summer trip to Spain, some strange travel companions, and family secrets just waiting to be unveiled, this book is a perfect spring (or summer) read for fans of Sarah Dessen, Morgan Matson, and Kim Culbertson.

Unfortunately, our newsletter is only so long, and there are so many other new and forthcoming releases to discover and enjoy! Here are some of the ones we’re most excited about: Emergency Contact by Mary H. K. Choi, Tangerineby Christine Mangan, The Punishment She Deserves by Elizabeth George, The Temptation of Forgiveness by Donna Leon, Conviction by Kelly Loy Gilbert, Macbeth by Jo Nesbo (April 10), Master of Persuasion: Brian Mulroney’s Global Legacy by Fen Osler Hampson (April 10), Moon by Alison Oliver (April 10), Vi by Kim Thuy (April 10), The Home for Unwanted Girls by Joanna Goodman (April 17), The Boy on the Beach by Tima Kurdi (April 17), Belleweather by Susanna Kearsley (April 24), When We Were Birds by Maria Mutch (April 24), Full Disclosure by Beverley McLachlin (May 1), Love and Ruin by Paula McLain (May 1), The Game of Hope by Sandra Gulland(May 1).

Not to drive the metaphor home too hard, but spending time in the store over the last couple of weeks really has felt like watching a garden bloom. With bright new books arriving every day, getting that springy feeling inside is especially nice this year given what’s been going on outside. Thankfully though, despite the fact that there are a few groundhogs out there that have a lot to answer for, as book lovers we have the ultimate escape available to us. So, escape the chilly weather and pay us a visit to find solace inside our walls lined with great novels and riveting non-fiction.

Happy Reading!

— The Staff of Books on Beechwood

On My Shelf

Staff Member: Hilary
What I’m Reading: My Lady’s Choosing by Kitty Curran

“I have read a fair number of romance novels in my time, but this one is by far the funniest and most entertaining! This adult choose-your-own-adventure book will keep you occupied for ages as you star in your own story and make choice after choice to determine your own literary future. Will you end up living in the Highlands, taking care of wartime orphans? Ruling society as a very rich widow? Or maybe running around the Egyptian desert with your lady love? Only you can decide!”

February Bestsellers

1. Trumpocracy by David Frum
2. Swing Time by Zadie Smith
3. The Mitford Murders by Jessica Fellowes
4. 12 Rules for Life by Jordan B. Peterson
5. The Grave’s a Fine and Private Place by Alan Bradley
6. Lost Ottawa by David McGee
7. Mythos by Stephen Fry
8. A Time of Love and Tartan by Alexander McCall Smith
9. The Boat People by Sharon Bala
10. The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline

Greetings Book Lovers!

Welcome back to winter! The clocks may be springing ahead this weekend and Easter is only a couple of weeks away, but Mother Nature is not ready to let us tiptoe through the tulips quite yet. Despite the snow though, it’s not hard to smell the impending change of seasons in the air. It’s especially easy for all of us here at the store to sense the warm winds coming as we’re fresh off a trip to our local booksellers’ fair where we placed orders for all of our spring and summer books! So, we can now tell you with authority that there are lots of very exciting goodies to come in the next few months! That being said though, there’s no need to sit around and wait for forthcoming titles to hit the ground because there are still more great reads currently sleeping on our shelves, just waiting for you to discover them!

With spring just a hair’s breath away, we don’t just have new books arriving every day, but our in-store event train is getting up a running again. Kicking things off right, 2016 Giller Prize nominee Andrew Battershill will be in the store on Wednesday, March 28 from 6:00-8:00pm to launch his brand new novel, Marry, Bang, Kill. Featuring Tommy Marlo, a young man who mugs people solely for their laptops, this crime thriller will grab you on page one and keep ratcheting up the tension until it finally releases you from its thrall at the last possible moment. It’s an intense thrill ride that is not to be missed! For all the Book Club members and historical fiction fans out there, we have a special treat for you this month! On Thursday, March 29 from 5:00-7:00pm, Jean E. Pendziwol will be in the store to sign copies of her new book The Light-Keepers’ Daughters. Set along the coast of Lake Superior and exploring a family’s past through the pages of a journal, this fascinating novel is also our Book Club pick for March. So, now you won’t just have the chance to discuss the book amongst yourselves, but you will actually be able to talk to the author about it in person! We’re really looking forward to both these great events and we hope to see you all there!

In honour of this past week’s International Women’s Day, we’ve put together a wonderful collection of books about trail-blazing women of the past and barrier-breaking women of the present in an effort to inspire our daughters to become the ceiling-smashing women of the future. Of all the books that have been published in this vein recently, there are two in particular that have really tickled our fancy. Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World by Penelope Bagieu is a graphic novel style book written for teens which features a wide range of female role models (some world famous and some lesser-known), all of whom share, as the author puts it, the same indomitable spirit. Bright, bold, and incredibly unique, this book perfectly embodies the spirits of the women who occupy its pages. Spotlighting 29 bold and “difficult” women from modern history, Karen Karbo has gifted us with a book sure to inspire women both young and old alike. With profiles on household names like Hillary Clinton, Carrie Fisher, Lena Dunham, and Nora Ephron, In Praise of Difficult Women is a fascinating, entertaining read about how forging your own unique path in the world can lead to a more fulfilling life. Karbo is also the author of the bestselling Kick-Ass Women series which included books about Julia Child, Coco Chanel, Katherine Hepburn, and Georgia O’Keefe.

It’s not every day that you expect an emergency room doctor to also be a college-level English professor, never mind that he had penned a magical debut novel in the tradition of Lev Grossman and Deborah Harkness! This, however, is just what Tom Muller has done. The Philosopher’s Flight is set in an alternate early twentieth century America and tells the story of Robert Weekes, a young man who has only ever wanted to fly. Unfortunately for him, that particular type of magic, or empirical philosophy as it is called, is considered an arcane, female-dominated branch of science – a.k.a. no men allowed. But when Robert rises to the occasion during a violent tragedy and wins himself a scholarship to the traditionally all-women’s philosophy school, he encounters a whole new set of unexpected obstacles – not only a troublemaking group of anti-philosophy protestors but also an inconvenient case of first love with fellow student Danielle Hardin, a disillusioned hero of the Great War turned political radical. The Sea Beast Takes a Lover by Michael Andreasen is another debut fantasy offering that teaches us about our own existence with a unique and unexpected spin. Who would have thought that short stories about alien abductions, time travel, and mythical beasts could actually make us look at loss, guilt, and love in completely new ways? These charming stories are easy to dip into a bit at a time and will no doubt leave you pondering one of life’s great mysteries every time you extricate yourself from their pages. Elan Mastai, a screenwriter and debut author, has put together a clever, surprising story of sci-fi adventure in All Our Wrong Todays. People in the 1950s had some pretty interesting ideas of what the year 2016 was going to look like – something of a technological utopia complete with moving sidewalks, flying cars, and moon-bases. The funny thing is, for Tom, this is his reality. When a time travel accident causes him to land squarely in our own 2016 though, he must decide if this curious new world is the right one for him or if he needs to find a way to get back to his own reality.

Not to be outdone, there are some real winners leasing space in our children’s section right now too. Three of our favourite new picture books are The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld, Harriet Gets Carried Away by Jessie Sima, and Pandamonia by Chris Owen and Chris Nixon. As children (and often as adults too), when things don’t go the way you want them to, you don’t necessarily want to sit down and talk about it rationally, try to laugh it off and move on, or stomp and storm around until you feel better. Usually, you just want someone to sit and listen. This is exactly what happens in Cori Doerrfeld‘s adorable book. Not only does it teach children that there’s no one right or wrong way to react to a situation, but it will also make you wish you had your very own rabbit to hug and confide in. Harriet Gets Carried Away by Jessie Sima (the creator of the equally cute Not Quite Narwhal) is a bright, sweet story about a little girl who loves to dress up in funny costumes and play make-believe – she even has specific costumes for specific occasions! But when her over-exuberance results in a group of penguins physically carrying her home to the Antarctic, she has to befriend all kinds of different creatures in order to get back to her dads in time for her birthday party. Chris Owen and Chris Nixon have given us an instant classic in Pandamonia. Told in rhyming couplets, this charming story explains all the outrageous things that will happen at the zoo if you wake the panda from his nap. Full of bright, graphic illustrations, waking up the panda (or trying not to) will no doubt appeal to any child who fell in love with Mo Willems‘ Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive the Bus.

Roy MacGregor has been a household name in Ottawa, and in Canada at large, for a number of decades now. His bestselling Screech Owls mystery series for 8-12 year olds (a series over 20 books strong) still resonates strongly with young readers today. Now Roy, along with his daughter Kerry MacGregor, has embarked on a new writing adventure for children. Set to be another series, book one in the Ice Chips Series, The Ice Chips and the Magical Rink, centres once again on the sport of hockey, but this time adds an element of fantasy to the mix. What more could young hockey players wish for than to have a rink that can transport them through time to meet one of the game’s all-time greats? Inspired by true stories from real hockey legends, this lovely new series is sure to appeal to all children, whether they play the game or not. Midnight in the Piazza by Tiffany Parks is an exciting European mystery story set in the enchanting city of Rome. When Beatrice is forced to move to Italy because of her father’s new job, she’s not overly-enthused about the whole thing. Little does she know that local legends will soon peak her interest, and before she can say ciao, she will find herself trying to solve the case of the stolen statue with her new friend Marco. Maybe living in Rome won’t actually be the worst thing ever after all. Another debut, and an epic fantasy novel to boot, Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi is an intricate and fascinating read. Inspired by the mythology of West Africa, this young adult novel tells the story of Zelie, a young woman who lives in a land that once hummed with magic – a land now stripped bare by a ruthless king. With the help of a rogue princess, Zelie must set out on a dangerous journey to restore magic to her homeland and, at the same time, learn to control her own unpredictable fledgling powers.

If any of those kids or teen books strike your fancy, or if you’re just looking for some new books for your own children to read while they’re home during March Break, be sure to pop by the store this coming week to take advantage of our March Break Sale! From Monday, March 12 through to Sunday, March 18, all our children’s books will be 25% off! From picture books to board books, to early readers to teen books, and all manner of non-fiction, our kids section is the place to be this coming week! The sale will apply to in-stock items only (no special orders) and will not include puzzles or games.

As we’ve only just dipped our toes into the March book release waters, there are still lots of new titles due to arrive over the coming weeks. Here are some of the ones we’re most looking forward to: Zero Day by Ezekiel Boone (March 13), A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab (March 13), Conviction by Kelly Loy Gilbert (March 13), The Punishment She Deserves by Elizabeth George (March 20), Unicorn of Many Hats by Dana Simpson (March 20), The Italian Teacher by Tom Rachman (March 20), The Temptation of Forgiveness by Donna Leon (March 20), Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi (March 27), The Good Liar by Catherine McKenzie (April 3), Greeks Bearing Gifts by Philip Kerr (April 3), Munmun by Jesse Andrews (April 3), The Good Pilot Peter Woodhouse by Alexander McCall Smith (April 10), The Boy on the Beach by Tima Kurdi (April 17).

Playing host to March Break, the bulk of Lent, St. Patrick’s Day, and Easter this year, it wouldn’t be surprising if March was having a serious identity crisis. With so many things going on, it’s hard to figure out how we’re really supposed to feel about this third month of 2018. Is it spring yet or is it still winter? Should we be thinking about what we’re going to plant in our gardens or forcing ourselves to keep that snow brush in the car just in case? It’s a month full of changes, but there’s no set time-frame for when those changes will happen. Thankfully, the book industry is (just) slightly more predictable than the weather and the changing seasons. So, if you’re looking for some stability this month, forget about the ups and downs happening outside and wander down to your favourite bricks-and-mortar hangout. We guarantee that you’ll love it – we’ve got books!!!

Happy Reading!

— The Staff of Books on Beechwood

Holiday Hours

We will be CLOSED on Friday, March 30 for Good Friday and on Sunday, April 1 for Easter.
Regular store hours will be in effect on Saturday, March 31 and we’ll be back to business as usual from Monday, April 2 onwards.

On My Shelf

Staff Member: Hilary
What I’m Reading: Songs of Love and War by Santa Montefiore

“Manor House. Family Secrets. Ireland. I think those are pretty much the best (and only) words needed to hook someone into this series. They certainly worked for me! I’m only partway through this first of three volumes (two and three are as yet unpublished), but to say it’s captured my imagination is an understatement. From the charming characters to the sophisticated prose to the beautiful setting, this historical saga will draw you in, chew you up, and spit you out…in a good way!”

The Twelve Days of Penguin Random House Christmas Wednesday, December 13: The Book of Dust by Philip Pullman Thursday, December 14: Lost in September by Kathleen Winter Friday, December 15: All We Leave Behind by Carol Off Saturday, December 16: Feast by Lindsay Anderson Sunday, December 17: Turtles All the Way Down by John Green Monday, December 18: A Legacy of Spies by John Le Carre Tuesday, December 19: Vimy by Tim Cook Wednesday, December 20: Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders Thursday, December 21: Artemis by Andy Weir Friday, December 22: Sweet by Yotam Ottolenghi Saturday, December 23: Munich by Robert Harris Sunday, December 24: Christmas at the Vinyl Cafe by Stuart McLean

On My Shelf

Staff Member: Hilary
What I’m Reading: Sweet by Yotam Ottolenghi
“With Christmas fast approaching, I’m sure I’m not the only one with baking on the brain! Always on the hunt for new recipes, I found this book a real treat to browse and bake from. Full of elegant and tasty recipes, this newest offering from the incredible Yotam Ottolenghi gets this baker’s two thumbs up! Look out Chocolate and Peanut Butter S’mores, here I come!”